Patents by Inventor Samuel Gilkison Smith

Samuel Gilkison Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10892625
    Abstract: This application relates to a case for retaining a portable electronic device and an accessory. The case can include a main body that includes a back panel and sidewalls for retaining a portable electronic device. The case can also include a receptacle coupled to the main body. The receptacle can have a cavity that generally corresponds to the dimension of an accessory for retaining the accessory. The case can further include a first terminal, a second terminal, and a battery. The first terminal can receive electrical energy from the portable electronic device to charge the battery. And the electrical energy stored in the battery can be transferred to the accessory through the second terminal. The case and the portable electronic device may communicate via near-field communication. The case can further include a slotted compartment to store money and credit cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Yoonhoo Jo, Nicholas R. Trincia, Paul M. Baker, Jessica J. Lu, Hao Zhu, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Amit S. Barve
  • Patent number: 10686483
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Griffin, II, Daniel J. Coster, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Yoonhoo Jo
  • Patent number: 10543669
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Santhana Balaji, Kevin Kenney, Andrew Lauder, Robert Michael Merritt, Michael Nashner, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Jared A. Sartee, Crenshaw Whitley, Kathryn P. Crews
  • Publication number: 20190181905
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: James G. GRIFFIN, II, Daniel J. COSTER, Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Yoonhoo JO
  • Patent number: 10303209
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
  • Patent number: 10243609
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Griffin, II, Daniel J. Coster, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Yoonhoo Jo
  • Patent number: 10110268
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a lip that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the lip is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. The rear cover can include a shell formed from glass fiber reinforced plastics and a lip formed from a thermoplastic. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations. Methods of manufacturing the accessory unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Santhana Krishnan Balaji, Jared A. Sartee, Amy Qian, Pinida J. Moolsintong
  • Patent number: 10063269
    Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a lip that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the lip is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. The rear cover can include a shell formed from glass fiber reinforced plastics and a lip formed from a thermoplastic. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations. Methods of manufacturing the accessory unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Santhana Krishnan Balaji, Jared A. Sartee, Amy Qian, Pinida J. Moolsintong
  • Patent number: 10024689
    Abstract: This application relates to devices that utilize magnets and associated magnetic sensors. A magnetic sensor can be positioned and oriented with respect to a magnetic element such that the magnetic sensor is capable of detecting a horizontal magnetic field component in contrast to the conventional paradigm of detecting a vertical magnetic field component. This can be accomplished by orienting a magnetically sensitive surface of the magnetic sensor about ninety degrees with respect to a magnetic vector of the magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, John C. DiFonzo, Guangtao Zhang, Rizal Johari, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Sean S. Corbin, Erik A. Uttermann
  • Publication number: 20180196473
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
  • Patent number: 9971379
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Griffin, II, Daniel J. Coster, Samuel Gilkison Smith
  • Patent number: 9946296
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
  • Patent number: 9946295
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison Smith, Daniel J. Coster, Sean S. Corbin, Melody L. Kuna, Siddhartha Hegde, Benjamin A. Cousins, Robert Sean Murphy
  • Publication number: 20170338845
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: James G. GRIFFIN, II, Daniel J. COSTER, Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Yoonhoo JO
  • Patent number: 9762278
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James G. Griffin, II, Daniel J. Coster, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Yoonhoo Jo
  • Publication number: 20170082458
    Abstract: This application relates to devices that utilize magnets and associated magnetic sensors. A magnetic sensor can be positioned and oriented with respect to a magnetic element such that the magnetic sensor is capable of detecting a horizontal magnetic field component in contrast to the conventional paradigm of detecting a vertical magnetic field component. This can be accomplished by orienting a magnetically sensitive surface of the magnetic sensor about ninety degrees with respect to a magnetic vector of the magnetic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, John C. DiFonzo, Guangtao Zhang, Rizal Johari, Samuel Gilkison Smith, Sean S. Corbin, Erik A. Uttermann
  • Publication number: 20170068282
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20170068281
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Daniel J. COSTER, Sean. S. CORBIN, Melody L. KUNA, Siddhartha HEGDE, Benjamin A. COUSINS, Robert Sean MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20170063419
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: James G. GRIFFIN, II, Daniel J. COSTER, Samuel Gilkison SMITH, Yoonhoo JO
  • Publication number: 20170060180
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: James G. GRIFFIN, II, Daniel J. COSTER, Samuel Gilkison SMITH